My feelings aiming at Sochi Olympics became stronger than before. "I will challenge to the best performance&#8221;.
April 20th, 2013

Interviewer: By Junko Nagai, Hiroshi Wakamizu
At April 19th, Mao Asada (22, Chukyo University) who expressed the intention which she retires from the eligible skater with the end of next season accepted the exclusive interview and talked about the current state of mind and about the ambition to the next season.

- Was there the change of the state of mind after expressing the retirement?

Aiming at Sochi Olympics, my motivation rose more and my feelings aiming at it became stronger than before. I think it was good that I had been able to tell everybody about being with such a feelings until Sochi Olympics.

- You told that you would like to show the best performance in the stage of the Olympics, but what was your best performance up to now?

When I won the championship in Grand Prix Final at 15years old, I thought that the performance is perfect, but looking back on it now, I think that it was far from the perfection as for the skating, too, and as for the spin, too. I think that the short program in Vancouver Olympics was good. Because my skating skill is improving every year, I have never done the best performance yet.

- What performance can satisfy you if you have been able to do it?

If I could skate without mistake in the level which included the triple Axel and the 3-3 combination jump which I am wrestling with now.

- You are continuing to challenge the skill which any other person can&#8217;t do, aren't you?

Because I felt me to be unsatisfactory even if I won a championship without the big skill, I challenge to it. As for the skating, it is difficult because both of the artistic aspect and the sports aspect are necessary. I prefer the artistic aspect in skating, but I can't be satisfied if I don't attempt the triple Axel because I have the feelings wanting to challenge as the athlete.

- What impression do you have about Russia where the Olympics is held?

Because I visited there dozens of times, it seems my second hometown.
It is such a feeling, as if I can say, "As for the Olympics in Russia, please entrust to me".

- What is the conception of the program of next season which may become your final season as the eligible?

As for SP and as for FS, too, the program of this season was very Mao-like, but I would like to use the music of different feeling as for next season. The music of SP is a classic and I think that it becomes the music like a Chopin's. As for the music of FS, I am searching for it variously.

- You participate to the ice show, "The Ice 2013" in the end of July, don't you?

Because I show a new exhibition program, I am looking forward to the response of everybody.

The main results of Mao Asada.
2002/2003
She participated to 2002 Japan Nationals for the first time at 12years old.
2004/2005
She participated to 2005 Junior Worlds for the first time and won the championship for the first time.
2005/2006
She won the championship in 2005 Grand Prix Final at 15years old.
She couldn&#8217;t participate to 2006 Turin Olympics for the age-limitation.
2007/2008
She won the championship in 2008 Worlds at 17years old of the youngest age of Japanese
2008/2009
She won her second championship in 2008 Grand Prix Final after an interval of three years.
2009/2010
She won the silver medal in 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
She won her second championship in 2010 Worlds after an interval of two years.
2012/2013
She won her third championship in 1012 Grand Prix Final after an interval of 4 years.
She won the medal after an interval of 3 years with 3rd place in 2013 Worlds.
She expressed the retirement from the eligible after the end of next season at April 13th. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/zoom/20130420-OYT9I00394.htm

(Translator's note: However, we should note that she has not announced officially the retirement in her official interview for the announcement of her retirement, at least, until the end of next season.)

As for SP and as for FS, too, the program of this season was very Mao-like, but I would like to use the music of different feeling as for next season. The music of SP is a classic and I think that it becomes the music like a Chopin's. As for the music of FS, I am searching for it variously.

That is a beautiful program and lovely performance. The lightness, effortlessness of her jumps---in a class by herself. Had to smile when Dick said you never hear her skates, because in the vid it was a distraction. If she had been able to go to the Olympics when fifteen, she probably would already have her gold medal. Is Aero doing ok lol? I'm concerned that her love affair with the 3 ax is going to be her downfall (as far as the Olympics go) and surprised she is having trouble with a 3/3.

That is a beautiful program and lovely performance. The lightness, effortlessness of her jumps---in a class by herself. Had to smile when Dick said you never hear her skates, because in the vid it was a distraction.....

Click to expand...

That was the year that they put mics underneath the ice. Everyone sounded like that and it just got on my last nerve. One of the dumbest ideas ever for a skating broadcast.

This is an article in "Fuji News Network" in Japan.
Translating to English from Japanese.

Mao Asada sets about the choreography of new program from May
April 22nd, 2013

Mao Asada showed up at the official place for the first time after expressing the provability of retirement.
In April 19th, Asada showed a suggestive smiling face.
There was that reason in the supplementary prize which she got in an annual awards ceremony of Japan Skating Federation.
The supplemental prize was the pair ticket of Tokyo Disney Land of the expiry date of one year.
Asada said, "Because the expiry date is one year, I think that I can go to it even after finishing the Sochi Olympics, therefore it is good to go with everybody, but. But, anymore after that..."
That Asada participated to the joint training camp which was hosted by Japan Olympic Committee aiming at the Sochi Olympics.
She with a leggings pants with trendy floral pattern showed a smiling face in a puzzle game etc. of team match.
As for next season which becomes the compilation for her, she sets about the choreography of new program from May.
Asada said, "I think that maybe I ought to classic as for the music of short program, but..."
To the classic from Jazz in this season.
She is going to move to next season when she aims at the gold medal.
Asada said, "Because I was suffering with skating in this time last year. But, now it is progressing forward positively, comparing to that, so, I feel to be able to face to next season with a good condition".

Maybe her stock has been dropping even among the Japanese general public, who have little idea where she&#8217;s been standing in terms of skating excellence, and that public includes her sister Mai (who has &#8220;no idea why Kim&#8217;s score is so high&#8221 and some of her ardent fans in this forum. She&#8217;s been saying basically the same thing over the last 3 years since Vancouver, and she&#8217;s now planning to improve her skating and jumping technique, 10 months away from the next Olympics?

I&#8217;m better now than before and will be better in Sochi. Is she thinking that would be enough to re-grab the attention of her gullible fans and the Japanese public? Champions don&#8217;t talk much, they let their performances speak for themselves.

What&#8217;s next? Advancing offers to her one-time rival&#8217;s coaches and costume designer? Expecting her fed to make yet another run at lobbying for scoring rule changes? That hasn&#8217;t worked in her favor and it&#8217;s not an option at this point. Poor Asada.

This is an article in "Fuji News Network" in Japan.
Translating to English from Japanese.

Mao Asada sets about the choreography of new program from May
April 22nd, 2013

Mao Asada showed up at the official place for the first time after expressing the provability of retirement.
In April 19th, Asada showed a suggestive smiling face.
There was that reason in the supplementary prize which she got in an annual awards ceremony of Japan Skating Federation.
The supplemental prize was the pair ticket of Tokyo Disney Land of the expiry date of one year.
Asada said, "Because the expiry date is one year, I think that I can go to it even after finishing the Sochi Olympics, therefore it is good to go with everybody, but. But, anymore after that..."
That Asada participated to the joint training camp which was hosted by Japan Olympic Committee aiming at the Sochi Olympics.
She with a leggings pants with trendy floral pattern showed a smiling face in a puzzle game etc. of team match.
As for next season which becomes the compilation for her, she sets about the choreography of new program from May.
Asada said, "I think that maybe I ought to classic as for the music of short program, but..."
To the classic from Jazz in this season.
She is going to move to next season when she aims at the gold medal.
Asada said, "Because I was suffering with skating in this time last year. But, now it is progressing forward positively, comparing to that, so, I feel to be able to face to next season with a good condition".

First i want to start with thanking you Akira Andrea for starting this lovely thread and thank you for providing all these links.
I sooo look forward to see Mao again next season, and I truly wish her all the best.

Nothing would make me happier than to see Mao win the Olympics. Especially after she was robbed in 2006.

Click to expand...

She wasn't robbed considering the age limit rules. Even if Mao was allowed to compete, Yuna would have been allowed to represent her country and most people forget that at 2006 Junior Worlds, Yuna beat Mao for the first time.

Anyways, best of luck to Mao. She has strongly indicated that this may be her last Olympics, so I hope that she comes out strong and skates to her best potential.

She wasn't robbed considering the age limit rules. Even if Mao was allowed to compete, Yuna would have been allowed to represent her country and most people forget that at 2006 Junior Worlds, Yuna beat Mao for the first time.

Anyways, best of luck to Mao. She has strongly indicated that this may be her last Olympics, so I hope that she comes out strong and skates to her best potential.

Click to expand...

I think most skating fans would remember it since it was a pretty shocking and decisive result at the time. It&#8217;s rather Asada fans who choose to forget the facts. Many of them have peculiar way of reasoning and they are amazingly selective in remembering things.

Robbed? She wasn&#8217;t even there. And one month later she was beaten by 20+ points, when Kim won both SP and LP sections of 2006 JWC.

I think most skating fans would remember it since it was a pretty shocking and decisive result at the time. It&#8217;s rather Asada fans who choose to forget the facts. Many of them have peculiar way of reasoning and they are amazingly selective in remembering things.

Click to expand...

Ooh, someone obviously has had too much lemon lime and bitters, without the Lemon and Lime.

Robbed? She wasn&#8217;t even there. And one month later she was beaten by 20+ points, when Kim won both SP and LP sections of 2006 JWC.

I think most skating fans would remember it since it was a pretty shocking and decisive result at the time. It&#8217;s rather Asada fans who choose to forget the facts. Many of them have peculiar way of reasoning and they are amazingly selective in remembering things.

Click to expand...

You just can't help yourself, can you? I am sorry your initial pathetic attempt (post #16) did not get much support, better luck this time.